Over 1 lakh people in Bengal’s coastal areas shifted to shelters

The landfall of severe cyclonic storm 'Remal' commenced on Sunday evening between Bengal and Bangladesh coasts with an intensity of 110 to 120 kmph, gusting to 135 kmph, the MeT office said.

The landfall process of Remal, with its centre about 30 km from the coastline at 8.30 pm, will continue for about four hours, it said.

"The landfall process of severe cyclonic storm 'Remal' commenced over the adjacent coasts of Bengal and Bangladesh between Sagar Island and Khepupara close to the southwest of Mongla in the neighbouring country," the MeT said.

Gale wind speed reaching 110 to 120 kmph, gusting to 135 kmph, was prevailing along and off Bengal and Bangladesh coasts and north Bay of Bengal and is likely to continue for the next six hours and decrease thereafter, the MeT added. In view of the cyclone, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X: "Stay home and stay safe.

We are there for you, today and always. This storm shall pass too." The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate rainfall at most places over the districts of South Bengal on Monday as well. For Sunday, a red warning was issued for districts like North and South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly district. For districts like West Midnapore, Nadia and East Burdwan, the forecasters issued orange warning and yellow warning for all districts.

For Monday, the red warning was issued for Nadia and Murshidabad districts which may experience heavy (7-11 centimetre) to very heavy rain (12-20 centimetre). While for other districts like Birbhum, East Burdwan, Hooghly, North and South 24-Parganas, Kolkata and Howrah districts orange warning was issued with a prediction of heavy to very heavy rain. The weather office has issued a yellow warning for all other districts.